Assessing the Effects of Cow Dung Organic Manure on the Growth and Yield of Upland Rice Using Drilling Method: A Case Study of Mphangwe Ward, Milanzi Costituency in Katete District of Eastern Province of Zambia

This Thesis was aimed at assessing the effects of Cow dung organic manure on the growth and yield of upland rice using drilling method in Mphangwe ward, Katete District. The study was conducted using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four treatments and four replicates, including a control group T4, chemical fertilizer application using D.compound T3, Cow dung Organic manure application using drilling method T1 and Cow dung Organic manure application using broadcasting method T2. Data on plant height, number of tillers per plant, days to maturity, grain yield, and straw yield were collected and analyzed using statistical software. The findings of this research have contributed to the understanding of the efficacy of drilling method in applying cow dung organic manure for upland rice production in the study area. The research outcomes were disseminated through a report and presented to relevant stakeholders in the agriculture sector, providing valuable information for farmers, policymakers, and researchers.

Furthermore, the analysis of different rates of cow dung organic manure application on upland rice yield and the use of the drilling method revealed that higher rates of Cow dung organic manure application, particularly in the drilling method, can significantly enhance the growth and yields of upland rice showing the difference from 50bags by 50Kgs/ha to 65 bags by 50Kgs/ha and 65bags by 50Kgs/ha to 75bags by 50kgs/ha indicating 23.16% and 13.33% increase in years 2022 and 2023 respectively (Sembiring Bhattacharya A. K. 2024). However, practical considerations, including cost-effectiveness and sustainability, should guide the choice of the optimal cow organic manure application rate.

In conclusion, the comparative analysis of soil health data before and after an agricultural experiment demonstrated that "Cow dung Organic Manure with Drilling" treatment had substantial positive effects on soil health parameters which indicated a difference of 0.7% of soil health from 2.5% before and 3.2% after cow dung organic manure application was conducted in the year 2022 (Sembiring Bhattacharya A. K. 2021). This underscores the importance of sustainable practices, such as cow dung organic manure application with drilling method, for maintaining and enhancing soil health like maintaining the soil pH between 5.0 -6.5, increasing both macro and micro-nutrients of NPK at 3.04: 11:1.18 and enhancing the soil aggregates which are essential for both crop productivity and environmental conservational (Krupp et al. 2017).